Comer, Colbert and Danielsville

Chris Peck, Philip Croya and David McMickle expect tall orders from their neighbors this coming year and, they hope, calendar pages filled with progress. That's because each man will take the reins of leadership in their respective cities - Colbert, Danielsville and Comer - as mayor.

"Being mayor is something you don't really think about until you actually get into politics," said Croya, a member of Danielsville City Council who will become its top elected official. "But the responsibility for mayor and council is a big (one). You never hear about the mayor when everything is running smooth. If anything bad happens, they look to the mayor like he'd done it."

The changes will mean a different way for nearly 2,000 residents who dwell in the Madison County municipalities, according to 2000 Census figures. Yet the men entering the positions anticipate facing a host of similar issues. Budgets are tight. Quality-of-life issues loom. And for one mayor-elect especially, there is a monstrous transition to overcome.

Peck will become Colbert's first new mayor in 40 years when he replaces Mayor John Waggoner, who is 73.

"Mainly, I'm looking for just a smooth transition," Peck said. "We knew this day was coming. ... We knew eventually (Waggoner) was going to step down. What drove me to run was the fact that he wasn't running. I would never have presumed to run against him. I want to try to keep the city as a place to raise my kids, where other people want to come and raise their kids. We have a good quality of life out here; I hope to maintain that."

When discussing Madison County's largest city, Comer's Mayor-elect McMickle identified a range of items he plans to address in 2010. A senior staff member, city Clerk Stephen H. Sorrells, is retiring. And there are new council members joining McMickle at the helm of Comer, which is home to about 1,050 people.

"I'm not a politician. I consider myself to be a leader. I saw a need for that in the community, and I felt like I could be the man to lead Comer," McMickle said. "Three of the top six people in the administration of the city are going to be new. I think that is going to be a little bit of a change and that was what I was elected on, to make a few changes that people would like to see made."

Croya's sights are fixed on improving Danielsville's coffers. As part of his introduction as the city's new leader, he plans to host a meeting in January with the council and city employees.

"I'm an information kind of person, I want all the information I can get," Croya said. "Everything has been going pretty good, except for financial. That's the one we really have to focus on. There are a lot of changes we do need to make in Danielsville. We're just going to take it day by day and see what happens. ... We're up to the challenge."

Peck forecasts improvements for more rather than fewer people in Colbert.

"My main thing is just keeping the city vibrant, a place where people want to live. Increasing our sidewalks and things like that, that are more for everybody and making sure we don't do for one or two or 10 people," Peck said.

New Year's will not mean all city business for these men, however. There are dominoes to play, sherbet to lick and, of course, football to watch.

All three mayors-elect intend to spend the holiday with their wives and families.

Peck's New Year's Day is not usually scripted outside of being with wife, Anita, and their children Audrey, 14, and Seth, 9.

"It's sort of an ad-libbed sort of thing," he said. "Sometimes it's family, sometimes it's our church, sometimes we get together with our friends, watch a ball game, if there's one on. We may play some dominoes and watch a movie, whatever is going on - we're pretty low-key."

Croya often goes to church, he said, with his family.

And at least one new mayor will be planning a party.

It will be held more than a week after Jan. 1 and organized for the town he'll soon lead. McMickle and his wife, Beth, are hosting a small gathering for Comer. He calls it a "meet your mayor" reception. It is planned between 4 and 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9, at the downtown Blue Bell Gallery and Pottery Studio.

"The citizens have got to be heard. That's just one of the forums I plan to use," McMickle said. "It's an opportunity for the city of Comer to come out and meet or talk with me. I'll invite the other mayors and county officials as well. It's a small-town reception for the people to come see who I am, to meet and talk with me."

And just in case anyone is curious, there is at least one mayor-elect who is looking past 2010 to another election. But Waggoner will retain his record-setting 40 years of service in Colbert.

His successor, Peck, promised he won't be seeking re-election in 2049.

"That will make me 88 if I serve 40 years," Peck said, laughing. "No, I don't want to try to outlast him."